Reel package



July 11, 1961 s. L. Ell-'RID 2,991,958

REEL PACKAGE Filed July 3l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July l1, 1961 s.Elx-RID 2,991,958

REEL PACKAGE Filed July 3l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 11, 1961 s. l..ElFRlD 2,991,958

REEL PACKAGE Filed July 3l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

United States Patent 2,991,958 REEL PACKAGE Stephen L. Eifrid, 641 61stPlace, La Grange, Ill. Filed July 31, 1958, Ser. No. 752,352 4 Claims.(Cl. 242--137.1)

'I'his invention relates to a reel package and more particularly to apackage from which material mounted on the reel in the package can bedispensed while the reel remains in the package. f

Packaging is presently one of the most important aspects f merchandisingcertain products. The most desirable package is one wherein the leastamount of material is used andwhich will require the least amount ofhandling from the time the product is packaged to the time it isremoved. In the case of wire, belting, webbing and other similarproducts, normally wound upon a reel,

the product is often dispensed or sold in lengths less than the entirepackaged quantity. Thus, a desired length of material is unwound and cutfrom the reel and the remaining material is repackaged for storing untila subsequent sale.

This type of dispensing requires an excessive amount of handling inremoving the reel from the carton in order to remove the desired lengthand then returning it to the carton.

The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive package in whicha reel of material is contained in a carton and remains in the cartonduring dispensing. The package is an upright construction with a ap atone corner openable to obtain access to the material on the reel withinthe package and constructed so as to guide the removal of material. Thereel itself is simply and inexpensively constructed from a pair ofopposed heads with interlocking core members extending from each headand interengaging to form a reel core. A core barrel surrounds the coreto form a complete reel yand to rigidify the construction.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedreel package from which material may be dispensed without removing thereel from the package.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedreel package wherein one corner of the package is formed with adispensing Hap which guides the withdrawal of the material from thepackage.

Still another object of :the present invention is to provide a new andimproved ree-l package in which the reel is formed with two heads havingcore members extending therefrom and interengaging to lock the heads inplace 'and form `a complete reel.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe `following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reel package illustrating oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the corner ap construction ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1 shown partially open;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the corner flap construction ofFIG. 2 in the fully open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified corner apconstruction which represents a modification of -the construction ofFIGS. 2 `and 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the reel constructioncontained in the package illustrated in FIG. l;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective View of a reel construction which is amodification off the construction of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 isa vertical sectional view of the reel construction of FIG. 6taken along a line parallel to the heads;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a reel package con- Patented July1.1, 1961 ICC struction similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating a modifiedcorner flap construction;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the reel package of FIG. 8 with theflap in a vertical position;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational lview of a reel package similar to theconstruction of FIG. 1 containing two reels;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the corner ilap constructionof the reel package of FIG. 10; Y

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an unfolded blank which when foldedformsa core extension providing additional core width;

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of a core utilizing the coreextension of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken `along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;and

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of Ianother embodiment of the reelpackage of FIG. 1 and illustrating a modified core construction.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention will be describedin detail. FIG. 1 shows a reel package 10 consisting of a carton 11which contains a reel 12. The carton has square side walls 1-4 betweenwhich the vreel 12 is located and the reel is enclosed within the cartonIby a front wall 15, Ia top wall I16, a rear wall 18 and a bottom wall19. The top front corner 20 of the square carton 11 is diagonally outand is covered by a covering llap 21. The opening serves to permitdispensing of material on the reel from the carton without having toremove the reel from the carton.

The diagonal corner construction 20 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and3 wherein it is seen that the covering ilap 21 is formed as an extensionof the front wall 15 and is foldable over the opening with a securingtab 22 which may be inserted under the top wall 16 to lock the coveringflap 21 across the opening. Side aps 24 are formed as extensions of theside walls 14 and are seen to be of a width equal to the distancebetween side walls so that when the side llaps 24 are folded over, theywill extend between side walls. Each side ap is formed with a centralslit 25 extending from its top edge 26. The slits 25 are aligned so thatwhen the side flaps 24 are folded over, material such as wire, rope orthe like may be dispensed through the slits. With this construction adesired length of material may be dispensed from the package bywithdrawing it through the slits without removing ythe reel. After thedesired length is cut, the covering ap 21 is again folded over and thelocking tab 22 inserted to secure the covering ap in place.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the lower edge 28 of the side flaps 24 arediagonally `cut so that prior to folding the side flaps, the bottomedges 28 are vertical extensions of the edges of the side walls. Thispermits the forming of the carton from a single blank of material.

It also provides an opening 30 at the bottom of the diagonal corner 20when the side flaps are folded over. This opening 30 may be used toreceive the end of the material so that the end of the material may beinserted through the opening 30 after the desired amount has been cutoff. This prevents the accidental recoil of the end of the product backthrough the slits 25 which would reqnire opening the carton to againdispense the material. The opening 30 is especially convenient when asomewhat stiftr material such as welding :rod is used wherein the tipcan be ben-t downwardly and the end locked in place. When the coveringflap 21 is closed, it also serves to hol-d the end of the material awayfrom the slits 25.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification of the diagonal corner construction ofFIGS. 2 and 3. In this case the side Walls 31 are formed with squarecorners, and the front top corner is scored diagonally so as to form adiagonal flap 32 of a width sufficient to extend to the opposite sidewall. When these aps 32 are folded across the corner opening 34, Vtheyintersect to `form a V-slot through which the material on the reel maybe dispensed through the slits 25 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.These corner ilaps 32 may be `secured together by stapling or gluing orthey may remain free and be held together only by the material which maybe bent over and inserted through the bottom opening 36. Here again thebottom opening 36 may serve to receive the end of the product, anda'closing ap 38 identical to the ap 21 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and3 is foldable ofver the corner opening 34 to form the complete package.

FIG. 8 shows still another modification of the corner opening of thepresent invention. In this case the side walls 60 retain the squarecorner 61 at the top front, and the opening 62 is provided at the top ofthe front wall 64. This opening 62 is covered by a covering flap 65folded from the front wall 64 and having a locking tab 66insertablebelow the top wall 68 to close the opening 62. The Ycoveringflap 65 may be perforated along its sides and bottom so `as to bedetachable if it is desired to remove the ap completely. A bottom tab 63is provided to assist in initially breaking the perforations for removalof the ap 65. The locking tab 66 may be provided with an aperture 67 sothat the end of the product in the container may be attached to the tabby being bent through the aperture 67. With this construction, theinitial dispensing of the material is easily accomplished without havingto search for the end of the product. Thus, the ap 65 is either foldedaway from the carton or is detached therefrom, and the end of theproduct is immedi ately in position to be grasped for removal. FIG. 8shows in dot-dash lines the tab 66 extending into the carton and insolid lines shows the tab in position after the tlap 65 is folded awayfrom the carton.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the reel 12 contained in the carton 11 will bedescribed in detail. The reel 12 consists of a pair of parallel spacedheads 40 which have circular peripheries so as to be easily rotatedwithin the carton 11. A center hole 41 is provided for mounting of thereel 12 on a jig which may be desirable when loading the reel. A pair offlanges 42 are struck from each head 40. These parallel flanges extendparallel to the axis of the reel and in the direction of the other head.Each flange 42 is provided with a pair of slots 44 extending from theirouter edge 45. These slots 44 are spaced apart a distance equal to thedistance between the llanges of the opposite head. The flanges of onehead are interlocked 'with the flanges of the other head by positioningthe anges of one head perpendicular to the anges of the other head andinterlocking the slots to form a core between heads 40 with the ends 45of the flanges 42 of one head 40 abutting the other head. A core barrel46 is `provided which surrounds the interlocked ilanges 42 and extendsbetween heads 40 to rigidity the reel and also to serve as a hub for thereceipt of a windable product. The core barrel 46 may be octagonal incross-section so as to mate with the corners of the flanges 42. However,this `may belvaried to beround in cross-section or any desirable shape.The construction of FIG. 5 requires a minimum of material since theflanges 42 which form a portion of the core are struck directly from theheads 40 without the need of additional material. This construc- Vtionalso permits compact shipment since the tlanges can remain unfolded inthe plane of the head during shipment and further provides simple andquick assembly since the anges may be easily folded, aligned with t-hecore barrel and inserted therein to form the completed reel.

A modication of the `reel construction is illustrated in FIG. 6 in whichcase separate core members 48 are used instead of striking flanges fromthe heads. In this case the heads are provided with parallel slots 49which receive the `legs 50 of the U-shaped core members 4S. These legs50 serve the identical purpose of the` anges i42'o the construction ofFIG. 5. Thus, they are parallel and each provided with slots 51 whichare parallel and spaced a distance equal to the distance between legs ofthe opposite core member. .A core barrel 52, identical to the corebarrel 46 of the embodiment of FIG. 5, sur- 5 rounds the anges and`extends, `between heads 54 to rigidity the reel with the ends 58 of theanges 50 .abutting the opposite `head 54. A hole 47 is centrally locatedin the base 43 of the core members 48. These holes 47 are aligned withthe central holes 55 in the heads 54 for mounting on a shaft as will bedescribed below.

A sectional view of the assembled constructionof FIG. 6 is illustratedin FIG. 7 wherein the criss-crossed core members 48 are clearly seen tointerengage a rigid structure .'with the core barrel 52 surrounding andfurther rigidifying the core. The construction of FIGS. 6 and 7 has acentral hole 55 in each head for mounting on a jig when loading the reeland is also provided with :pairs of holes 56 in each head 54 engageablethrough the opening S8 in the carton 11 of FIG. 1 to permit rewinding ofthe reel when more than the desired amount of material has Vbeendispensed from the package. No similarholes are shown in the embodimentof FIG. 5. However, the open area 59 resulting when the flanges 42 `arestruck from the heads 40 serves the same purpose of permitting the reelto be grasped and rotated through the opening 58 in the carbon 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 the width of the core barrel islimited by the size of the head 40 since the anges 42 are struck fromthe head. Thus, the iwidth .of the core barrel must be considerably lessthan the radius of the head 40. However, in some cases itl may bedesirable to use a reel having a wider core, in which case an extensionmember may be utilized as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. In thiscase an extension member formed from a blank piece of material is foldedin a U-shape having a base 71 and identical legs 72, `each `leg 72 beingprovided with a pair of slots 74 oneach side 75 of the leg. The legs 72are of the same height `as the flanges 42 for alignment and interlocking`engagement therewith. The extension member 70 is folded and mounted ina core barrel 76 which is a length to extend between the heads 40. Theheads are then positioned with their anges 42 perpendicular to the legs72 of the extension member 70 and the slots 74 of the extension v memberinterlock in the slots 44 of the tlanges withthe sides of the extensionmember abutting the heads 40 to form a rigid reel construction. Thisextension member 70 permits the construction of a reel of any desiredwidth not limited to the size of the head. The use of an extensionmember is also adaptable for use with the modified reel of FIGS. 6 and 7for, although the ilanges 50 can be made of any length, it is difficultto force relatively long tlanges through the core barrel 52 and intofull engagement With the opposite `flanges 50. Thus, the construction ofFIGS. l2, 13 and 14 facilitates the assembly of the reel.

FIG. 15 illustrates still another modification of the reel construction.4'In this case the core is formed by cutting central holes 78 in theside walls 79 of the carton and mounting recessed disks 80 in the holes.These disks have annular flanges 81 which seat on the side Walls 79 adjacent the holes 78 and have cup-shaped portions '82 extending inwardlyso as to form a hub for the core barrel S4. Thus, the reel rotates ont-he disks and is elevated above the bottom of the carton. A boltextends through the cup-shaped portions 82 of the disks 80 and issecured in place by the use of a nut 86 or similar locking device. Thereel illustrated consists solely of a core bar- `rel 84; no heads areprovided. The use of heads in this and the other embodiments is a matterof choice depending upon the product. When a wide product such aswebbing, belting or screening is used, the heads may be consideredunnecessary.

The core constructions described and illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8and 15 include some of the basic ooncepts set out in my co-pendingpatent application entitled, Reel Assembly and Method of ConstructingSame, tiled March 17, 1958, and having Serial Number 722,097, thatapplication being a continuation in part of an application led October25, 1956, and having the Serial Number 618,356.

When a heavy material is being used in the reel package of the presentinvention or when a large quantity of material is on the reel, theweight may interfere slightly with the rotation of the reel in whichcase it is contemplated that the reel be mounted on a shaft asillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this case the side walls 60 of thecarton are provided with small holes 53 which are centrally located. Ashaft S7 of metal tubing or other suitable material is mounted in theholes 53 and extends through the carton. `The reel lwithin the carton ismounted on the shaft 57 and rotates thereon. 'When so done, the reel iselevated from the bottom of the carton. Thus, the reel is supported bythe carton at the holes 53 with much less friction than when the reel isrotated in contact with the bottom of the carton as in the constructionspreviously described.

In the packaging of some materials it might be desirable to dispensefrom more than one reel. Such may be the case when electrical wiring ofdifferent color is desirable to comply with a particular code. In suchcase it is possible to modify the present invention so as to packagemore than one lreel in a single carton. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate thepackaging of two reels 90 Within a single carton 91. The carton issimilar to the carton of FIG. 1 except for the increased width of thefront wall 92, top wall 93, rear wall and bottom wall 94. In FIG. 11 theflap construction of the diagonal corner 95 is illustrated. A closingllap 96 extending from the front Wall 92 is shaped similar to theclosing ap 21 of FIG, 2 and has a similar locking tab 9S. Also, side aps99 similar to side flaps 24 of FIG. 2 are provided, but they do notextend fully across the carton. These side flaps 99 are each providedwith a slit 100 extending from their upper edge 101. The slits 100 arealigned with the reel 90 adjacent the common side wall. These side aps99 may be secured together as by gluing or stapling and are formed withdiagonal bottom edges 102 similar to the edges 28 of FIG. 2 whichsimilarly provide an opening for the `receipt of the end of the productsbeing dispensed.

It is apparent from the above that the present invention provides a reelpackage formed from a minimum of material and requiring a minimum ofskill and eitort to assemble yfor use. The part-s may all be shipped ina knocked-down or ilat condition, thereby greatly reducing the space andcost of shipment and storage. To assemble, the manufacturer simply-folds in the anges from the head (FIG. 5) or inserts them through theslots (FIG. 6) and interlocks them within the core barrel. The productis then wound on the reel and the reel is inserted in the carton. Theend of the product is positioned to extend through the slots in thecorner openings and the closing ilap is secured in place. The package isthen ready for shipment or storage.

Material is easily dispensed from the package simply by opening theclosing ap and withdrawing a desired amount of material. As the materialis withdrawn, the reel the carton rotates; and if Ian excess of materialis unwound, the reel can be rewound by grasping the flanges (FIG. 5) orengaging in the holes (FIG. 6). The end of the material is allowed toremain extending through the slits in lthe corner opening, and theclosing ap is secured in place to lawait further dispensing. Thus,material is easily dispensed without having a complicated packagingproblem, and the unused material remains in the package until it isdispensed at a later time.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many diierentforms, there is shown in the drawings and is herein described in detailseveral embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exempliiication of the principles of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodimentsillustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A reel having, in combination, a pair of spaced heads, a pair ofparallel ilanges out from the central portion of each head and eachsecured thereto along one edge paralleling the corresponding edge of theother ange, the ilanges extending from each head in the direction of theother head and having open-ended slits aligned with the slits of theanges on the other head and having laterally spaced edges generallynormal to the heads and Ireceiving and frictionally gripping the flangeson the other head so that the anges are in interlocking engagement witheach other to form a reel core and prevent separation of the heads, anda core barrel enclosing said anges and extending between said heads torigidity the reel.

2. A reel having, in combination, a pair of spaced heads each with apair `ot parallel anges cut from the central portion of the head andsecured thereto along the one edge paralleling the corresponding edge ofthe other ange, the anges extending from each head in the direction ofthe other head and each having open-ended slits aligned with the slitsof the lian-ges on the other head and defined by laterally spaced edgesextending generally normal to the heads and receiving and frictionallygripping the anges on the other head so that the flanges are ininterlocking engagement wit-h each other to form a reel core landprevent separation of the heads.

3. A reel having, in combination, a rst at-reel head having two flatintegral flanges connected to the head along parallel lines at thecentral portion of the head and bent laterally therefrom intoparallelism, each of said anges having two parallel sided slotsextending inwardly from its outer end portion perpendicular to thecorresponding one of said lines ot connection, and a second head of thesame `construction having its anges fitting into the `slots of the first'head and frictionally gripping the anges of the first head to cooperatetherewith to form a reel core and hold the heads assembled.

4. A reel having, in combination, la rst at head having a hat coremember connected integrally with and formed from a part of the centralportion of the head and extending laterally therefrom, said memberhavin-g at least one slot opening inwardly from its outer end portionand defined by parallel edges, and a second similar head with a similarcore member formed integral with and extending laterally from thecentral portion of the head and having a similar slot `aligned with theslot of the core member of said irst head, each of said core membersextending into the slot of the other core member and frictionallygripping the member to form a core for the reel and hold the headsagainst movement away from each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.24,560 Moulden Nov. 11, 1958 613,742 Vernon Nov. 8, 1898 2,048,307 Webera July 21, 1936 4 2,237,920 Armitt Apr. 8, 1941 2,366,226 WilliamsonIan. 2, 1945 2,373,092 Avery Apr. 10, 1945 2,706,592 Schaller Apr. 19,1955 2,730,290 Lynes Jan. 10, 1956 2,822,084 Eilertsen Feb. 4, 1958FOREIGN PATENTS 1,096,469 France Feb. 2, 1955

